A community cop from Market Bosworth has been named as the county’s Beat Bobby of the Year.

When he’s not flying on his commute from Germany where his wife lives and when he’s not guiding children at the nearby Bosworth Academy in Desford, PC 1189 Sean Hannigan is walking the beat in the village.

A police officer for 13 years, his current role as a neighbourhood beat officer covers villages including Market Bosworth, Desford, Botcheston, Newtown Unthank, Barlestone, Osbaston and Nailstone.

A panel of judges including Chief Constable Simon Cole, chairman of the Police Authority Barrie Roper and representatives from the Police Federation and Superintendents Association picked him as the winning candidate for his hard work and devotion to duty.

His nomination was chosen because he has “embedded himself in his community and has been instrumental in forging exceptional relationships with members of the community who live in his area”.

PC Hannigan, 45, said: “I was delighted to have been nominated so to actually win it is amazing. It is a credit to everyone I work with.

“A lot of hard work goes on in our beat but it is very much a team effort and I couldn’t have won the award without the support of the PCSOs and other police officers.

“It is a great honour to be named Beat Bobby of the Year especially as the nominations have come from members of the public. I am very grateful.”

PC Hannigan and his wife Annie moved to Frankfurt earlier this year after she was transferred there with her work. Now he commutes back and forth every week in order to remain working in the community he loves.

His other achievements over the year include working hard to tackle lead and cable theft, working closely with BT to stop the problem.

He has also developed a close working relationship with Hijaz Islamic College and Bosworth Academy in Desford and he is in the process of setting up a police office at Bosworth Academy to continue to establish a higher level of engagement with young people in the area.

Inspector Rich Ward, Commander of Hinckley police station, said; “I was absolutely delighted to hear that Sean had won the award. My initial thoughts were that this was thoroughly deserved.

“What has impressed me most about Sean is his eagerness to help people and get them involved with their local police team. Sean has also very intelligently used his time to engage with all members of his local community.”

“As the BCU Commander, I have personally received letters of thanks and appreciation about Sean’s work. He has achieved the delicate balance between quality and supportive engagement with the community and challenging and dealing effectively with unacceptable behaviour.

“Sean is an outstanding beat officer. He is highly visible, sensitive to the needs of different communities, and respected by both colleagues and the local community.”

Sean will be invited to the Chief Constable’s award ceremony in August where he will receive the Guy Swatland Memorial Shield, a crystal rose bowl, a signed certificate and cheque for £100 from the Chief Constable and a weekend away donated by the Police Federation JBB.